Award-winning prose
Teens express passion in poetry
Article Launched: 11/05/2008
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POEMS OF LIFE: The Poetry Club at Nogales High School in La Puente gathers around club adviser Cory Cofer, seated in the middle. The young poets meet every Wednesday during their lunch period. Ashlyn Akins, below, is congratulated by Cofer after being selected for the National Youth Poetry Slam in Washington, D.C., last summer and winning $1,000 in an oratorical contest recently. (Photos by Gina Ward / Courtesy of Rowland Unified School District)
The kids were slamming at Nogales High School.
But that's OK because they were young poets speaking their truths to a small cadre of kindred spirits in the Poetry Club.
During their lunch period, the poets eschewed feelings and emotions while other teens tossed back Doritos and burgers.
Word!
Lest one think they were just letting lose some teenaged angst, visitors had only to listen to their vibrant prose to see a much deeper vision.
All were passionate.
Some were powerful, their voices raised in anger, bordering on hate. Others were delicate, whispering about love found as well as love lost.
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